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29.12.2025

The Valdai Drone Allegation Day

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This page is an archive of main headlines from Russia for 29.12.2025.

It displays 188 headlines from many sources chronologically, as they appeared throughout the day, accompanied by AI overviews that were written in real time.

29.12.2025The Valdai Drone Allegation Day
The morning began with media saturation regarding the Florida meeting between Donald Trump and Volodymyr Zelensky. State-aligned and independent outlets initially converged on a "90-95%" consensus for a peace plan, while highlighting the status of Donbas as the remaining impasse. By midday, editors pivoted to a flurry of domestic legislative activity, reporting on President Putin signing laws ranging from foreign agent tax hikes to a ban on gambling self-exclusion, while military reports claimed the capture of Dibrova.
The afternoon saw a sharp shift toward an alleged Ukrainian drone swarm targeting Putin’s Valdai residence. State media synchronized reports from Sergey Lavrov claiming 91 UAVs were involved, framing the incident as a justification for Moscow to harden its negotiating stance. By evening, editorial priority focused on a telephone call between Putin and Trump. Outlets amplified Trump’s reported "shock" and his condemnation of the strike as non-defensive, positioning the incident as a strategic wedge between the Trump administration and the Ukrainian leadership.
29.12.2025

00:42 (21:42)The Florida Peace Sprint Begins

Russian media are focusing on the high-stakes Florida meeting between Presidents Trump and Zelensky, preceded by a strategic phone call between Trump and Putin. State outlets emphasize the Kremlin's demand for a lasting peace over a ceasefire (RT, Kommersant, The Moscow Times) while portraying Zelensky as weakened and 'subdued' during negotiations (Lenta.ru, Komsomolskaya Pravda). Concurrently, heavy drone interceptions over Russian territory remain a secondary but consistent priority (TASS, Vesti).

03:13 (00:13)Florida Peace Deal Hits Donbas Wall

Russian media are currently dominated by the high-stakes Florida negotiations between Donald Trump and Volodymyr Zelensky. Editors highlight Trump's assertion of a 90-95% progress toward a settlement (Meduza, RBC.ru, TASS), while emphasizing that the status of Donbas remains the primary unresolved obstacle (The Moscow Times, Meduza). State outlets are particularly focused on Trump's claim that a three-way meeting with Putin is possible and his dismissal of historical 'Russian interference' narratives (Vesti, NTV.ru, Kommersant).
04:05
06:50
RIA Novosti

ВСУ потеряли целую штурмовую группу возле Лимана в Харьковской области

06:50 (03:50 in your timezone)

09:13 (06:13)The Florida Shadow Over Donbas

Russian state and independent media have converged on the prospect of direct communication between Putin and Zelensky following Trump's mediation (Fox News, The Moscow Times, RBC.ru). State-aligned editors emphasize Zelensky's perceived failure in Florida (Lenta.ru, Komsomolskaya Pravda) and highlight Trump’s rejection of a temporary ceasefire in favor of a permanent settlement (RT, Rossiyskaya Gazeta). Disagreements over the Donbas status remain the central obstacle acknowledged across the spectrum (Interfax.ru, Meduza, Svoboda.org).
10:06
10:11
RIA Novosti

Путин подписал пакет законов, в том числе о крестах на гербе и дне памяти геноцида советского народа

10:11 (07:11 in your timezone)
10:41
11:23
11:29

11:30 (08:30)Trump Rejects the Florida Ceasefire

Russian media are amplifying narratives of Zelensky’s diplomatic failure in Florida, claiming President Trump acknowledged Putin’s position while rejecting a temporary ceasefire (Komsomolskaya Pravda, Lenta.ru). Domestic focus has shifted to President Putin signing a dense legislative package including new taxes for foreign agents and regulations for alcohol sales (Vesti, Interfax.ru, RIA Novosti, TASS). Concurrently, a localized ceasefire for power repairs near the Zaporozhye nuclear plant is reported (RT).
11:41
RIA Novosti

Путин подписал пакет законов, в том числе о MAX, крестах на гербе и Дне памяти геноцида советского народа

11:41 (08:41 in your timezone)
12:11
12:17
12:19
12:30
RIA Novosti

Путин подписал пакет законов, в том числе о крестах на гербе и Дне памяти геноцида советского народа

12:30 (09:30 in your timezone)
13:01

13:03 (10:03)Zelensky's Fifty Year Security Plea

Russian editors are prioritizing the aftermath of the Florida talks, focusing on Zelensky's request for 30 to 50-year security guarantees (Meduza, RBC.ru, Lenta.ru). State-aligned outlets highlight the Kremlin's insistence on a permanent settlement over a temporary truce (TASS, Kommersant), while military coverage emphasizes the capture of Dibrova (Vesti). Domestic reports highlight Putin's signing of a legislative package involving symbolic and fiscal changes (RIA Novosti, Interfax.ru).
13:20
RIA Novosti

Песков анонсировал новый телефонный разговор Путина и Трампа

13:20 (10:20 in your timezone)
13:44
13:57
14:03

15:00 (12:00)The Looming Presidential Phone Call

Russian media are shifting focus toward a potential direct phone call between Putin and Zelensky, a development framed as a result of Trump's mediation (Lenta.ru, RBC.ru, RIA Novosti). State outlets emphasize the Kremlin's alignment with Trump's view that the conflict is nearing its end (RT, NTV.ru). Domestically, editors highlight Putin’s year-end legislative activity, including increased debt collection fees and tax hikes for foreign agents (Vesti, Komsomolskaya Pravda, Interfax.ru).
15:23
15:54
16:18
RIA Novosti

Герасимов доложил Путину о продвижении российских войск в зоне СВО

16:18 (13:18 in your timezone)
16:24
RIA Novosti

"Огромные суммы". Европу ужаснул неприятный факт о России

16:24 (13:24 in your timezone)

16:32 (13:32)The March Toward Slaviansk

State media are shifting from diplomatic speculation to military reporting, emphasizing Russian advances toward Slaviansk and the capture of Boguslavka and Dibrova (Vesti, RBC.ru, TASS, Lenta.ru). Editorial priorities reflect a push for a decisive 'endgame' narrative, with state outlets asserting that negotiations are entering final stages (RT, Rossiyskaya Gazeta). Simultaneously, independent and critical media focus on digital isolation and infrastructure failures within Russia (Meduza, Svoboda.org, The Moscow Times).
17:41
18:00
18:25
RIA Novosti

Россия пересмотрит переговорную позицию по Украине

18:25 (15:25 in your timezone)

18:27 (15:27)The Valdai Drone Swarm Allegation

Russian state media have pivoted to report on an alleged Ukrainian drone attack targeting Vladimir Putin’s Valdai residence (TASS, Kommersant, RBC.ru, Lenta.ru). While Meduza notes a lack of corroboration, official sources amplify Sergey Lavrov's claims of a 91-drone strike. Concurrently, the Kremlin highlights year-end military successes and shifting negotiation stances following Gerasimov’s report on territorial gains (RT, NTV.ru, Komsomolskaya Pravda, RIA Novosti).
18:31
RIA Novosti

Москва пересмотрит переговорную позицию по Украине, сообщил Лавров

18:31 (15:31 in your timezone)
18:38
RIA Novosti

Москва пересмотрит переговорную позицию после попытки ВСУ атаковать резиденцию Путина, заявил Лавров

18:38 (15:38 in your timezone)
19:03
19:09
19:15
19:15

19:17 (16:17)The Valdai Drone Swarm Allegation

State-aligned outlets prioritize Sergey Lavrov's allegations of a 91-drone Ukrainian swarm targeting Vladimir Putin's Valdai residence, framing it as a shift in Moscow’s negotiation stance (TASS, Kommersant, RIA Novosti, Komsomolskaya Pravda). Concurrently, media amplify a positive phone call between Presidents Putin and Trump regarding Ukraine (Vesti, TASS, RT). Independent sources focus on Zelensky's warnings of retaliatory strikes on Kiev and ongoing digital censorship within Russia (Meduza, The Moscow Times, Svoboda.org).
19:21
RIA Novosti

Путин рассказал Трампу о попытке ВСУ атаковать его резиденцию

19:21 (16:21 in your timezone)
19:21
19:40
20:05
20:11
20:27

21:12 (18:12)The Valdai Drone Swarm Shock

State-aligned editors have intensified their focus on the alleged 91-drone strike on Vladimir Putin's Valdai residence, framing it as a pivot for potential retaliation (Rossiyskaya Gazeta, TASS, Lenta.ru). Media emphasize Donald Trump’s 'shocked' reaction to the incident during a call with Putin, presenting it as a moment of alignment between the two leaders (Vesti, RT, Komsomolskaya Pravda). Independent outlets provide contrast by highlighting Zelensky's warnings of impending strikes on Kyiv (Meduza, The Moscow Times).
22:24
RIA Novosti

Атаку Киева на резиденцию Путина нельзя считать оборонительными действиями, заявил Трамп

22:24 (19:24 in your timezone)
23:34
23:40